Method and Apparatus for Moistening Fingers

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses for moistening fingers are disclosed, including providing an apparatus comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam; and a lid attached to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; dispensing sanitizer through the opening of the top of the foam housing to load the open cell foam with sanitizer; and contacting the open cell foam with fingers to moisten. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/066,401, filed on Aug. 17, 2020, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Moistening Fingers,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

II. BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains to moistening fingers. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a housing with an integrated lid having an open cell foam loaded with an alcohol based sanitizer which may be worn either on the users wrist or attached to a necklace, lanyard, or bracelet. The apparatus provides for a safe and simple means for moistening fingers in order to facilitate the opening of plastic produce bags which may be found in a grocery store as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

III. SUMMARY

In one respect, disclosed is an apparatus for moistening fingers comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid.

In another respect, disclosed is an apparatus for moistening fingers comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet; and a sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam.

In yet another respect, disclosed is a method for moistening fingers comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; dispensing a sanitizer through the opening of the top of the foam housing to load the open cell foam with the sanitizer; and contacting the open cell foam with fingers or other body parts to moisten.

Numerous additional embodiments are also possible.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portion of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the lid of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line I-I as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the foam housing of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line II-II as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers illustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line as shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for moistening fingers shown in an open configuration and having a retained open cell foam, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for moistening fingers taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 8 in the open configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers configured for attaching to a user's wrist, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a photograph of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers attached to a lanyard, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for moistening fingers using the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, in accordance with some embodiments.

While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments. This disclosure is instead intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the invention are described below. It should be noted that these and any other embodiments are exemplary and are intended to be illustrative of the invention rather than limiting. While the invention is widely applicable to different types of systems, it is impossible to include all of the possible embodiments and contexts of the invention in this disclosure. Upon reading this disclosure, many alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The opening of the plastic bags, like those that may be found in the produce and meat sections of a grocery store, can be extremely frustrating to open, especially for individuals whose fingertips are not very moist. Most people who struggle to open the plastic bag would either lick their fingertips with their tongue or would find something wet or moist to touch, such as a fruit or vegetable that had been recently sprayed with water, in order to moisten their fingers just so that they could open the plastic bag. Now though in the post-COVID-19 awareness of hygiene and sanitization, neither of the alternatives for opening the plastic bag are acceptable. Shoppers would not appreciate so many touches of the fruit or vegetables and the thought of licking one's fingertips after having touched and handled other items in the store, especially the grocery cart, seems extremely repulsive.

Inventions for moistening of fingers go back many years, from U.S. Pat. 939,098 issued to Sauer et al. in 1909 which addressed the need for moistening the fingers of railroad employees to facilitate the handling of tickets, transfers, and money and even the moistening of school children's pencil points to more recently the fingertip fluid and its applicator disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2003/0202838A1 by Sun et al. and U.S. Pat. 10,214,047B1 to Haggarty which addresses the difficulty in opening plastic film bags by disclosing an apparatus having a dabber which is in fluid communication with liquid from a cartridge within the dabber housing wherein the apparatus is designed and configured to be placed on a ledge of a display case in a grocery store. The problem with the Haggarty apparatus is that it will be used by many different individuals and thus there exists a possibility of the transfer of viruses and pathogens to others.

A need exists for a method and apparatus for the safe, simple, and practical moistening and sanitization of fingers in order to facilitate the opening of plastic produce bags which may be found in a grocery store. None of the above mentioned inventions and patents, nor any of the other finger moisteners which these inventions and patents are representative of, taken either singly or in combination describe the invention herein disclosed and claimed. The embodiment or embodiments described herein solve these problems and others by proposing a new, safe, and simple method and apparatus to moisten and sanitize fingers.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portion of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam (not shown); a foam housing 110 having a closed bottom 111, a sidewall 112 coupled to the closed bottom, and a top 113 having an opening 114 and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid 120 hingedly attached with a hinge 150 to the foam housing and having a closed top 121, a securing member 122 coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab 123 extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members 130 coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop 140 configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

In the completely assembled apparatus, the open cell foam is approximately sized to substantially fill the volume of the foam housing defined by the closed bottom, the sidewall, and the top. In some embodiments, the open cell foam is configured to be user replaceable. In some embodiments, the apparatus is sized similarly to a sports multi-function watch. To prepare the apparatus for finger moistening, an alcohol based hand sanitizer is loaded into the open cell foam to thoroughly wet the foam or at least fill it halfway. The lid is then pressed onto the foam housing in order to snap the securing member through the opening of the foam housing. In some embodiments, the hinge 150 is biased such that the lid wants to separate away, i.e. open, from the foam housing. In such an embodiment, the securing member will be pressed against the underside of the top of the foam housing with greater force ensuring that the apparatus is substantially liquid tight in order to protect from the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam.

In some embodiments, the apparatus is formed of a monolithic piece of material, such as (but not limited to) metal, plastic, polycarbonate, compounds thereof and the like, all of which are well known in the art for their suitability for holding an alcohol based sanitizer. In such an embodiment, the foam housing, the lid, the strap members, and the loop are manufactured from a single material as a unibody. Alternatively, the apparatus may be formed from one or more pieces of material and then joined together via conventional means. Such forming and/or joining may be accomplished through any methods known in the art for producing metal and plastic materials. Accordingly, the method of making the apparatus is not further discussed herein.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers illustrated in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the lid of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line I-I as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the foam housing of the apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line II-II as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam (not shown); a foam housing 110 having a closed bottom 111, a sidewall 112 coupled to the closed bottom, and a top 113 having an opening 114 and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid 120 hingedly attached with a hinge 150 to the foam housing and having a closed top 121, a securing member 122 coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab 123 extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members 130 coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop 140 configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

In some embodiments, the securing member comprises a chamfered surface 124 configured to contact first the top inside edge 115 of the housing in order to facilitate the pressing of the lid into the housing, a ridge 125 configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the housing, and a flat 126 having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the housing in order to secure the lid into the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the surface 124 is filleted instead of chamfered.

In the completely assembled apparatus, the open cell foam is approximately sized to substantially fill the volume of the foam housing defined by the closed bottom, the sidewall, and the top. In some embodiments, the open cell foam is configured to be user replaceable so that it can be replaced if the open cell foam degrades over time. In some embodiments, the apparatus is similarly sized to a sports multi-function watch. To prepare the apparatus for finger moistening, an alcohol based hand sanitizer is loaded into the open cell foam to thoroughly wet the foam or at least fill it halfway. The lid is then pressed onto the foam housing in order to snap the securing member through the opening of the foam housing. In some embodiments, the hinge 150 is biased such that the lid wants to separate away, i.e. open, from the foam housing. In such an embodiment, a portion of the ridge of the securing member will be pressed against the underside of the top of the foam housing with greater force ensuring that the apparatus is substantially liquid tight in order to protect from the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam. In an alternate embodiment, the flat 126 may comprise a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring in order to further ensure that the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam is greatly reduced.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers illustrated in FIG. 2, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of a portion of the apparatus in a closed configuration for moistening fingers, taken along line as shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam (not shown); a foam housing 110 having a closed bottom 111, a sidewall 112 coupled to the closed bottom, and a top 113 coupled to the sidewall, wherein the top has an opening 114 configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid 120 hingedly attached with a hinge 150 to the foam housing and having a closed top 121, a securing member 122 coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab 123 extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members 130 coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop 140 configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

In some embodiments, the securing member comprises a chamfered surface 124 configured to contact first the top inside edge 115 of the housing in order to facilitate the pressing of the lid into the housing and a ridge 125 configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the housing and flat 126 having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the housing in order to secure the lid into the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the surface 124 is filleted instead of chamfered.

In the completely assembled apparatus, the open cell foam is approximately sized to substantially fill the volume of the foam housing defined by the closed bottom, the sidewall, and the top. In some embodiments, the open cell foam is configured to be user replaceable so that it can be replaced if the open cell foam degrades over time. In some embodiments, the apparatus is similarly sized to a sports multi-function watch. To prepare the apparatus for finger moistening, an alcohol based hand sanitizer is loaded into the open cell foam to thoroughly wet the foam or at least fill it halfway. The lid is then pressed onto the foam housing in order to snap the securing member through the opening of the foam housing. In some embodiments, the hinge 150 is biased such that the lid wants to separate away, i.e. open, from the foam housing. In such an embodiment, a portion of the ridge of the securing member will be pressed against the underside of the top of the foam housing with greater force ensuring that the apparatus is substantially liquid tight in order to protect from the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam. In an alternate embodiment, the flat 126 may comprise a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring in order to further ensure that the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam is greatly reduced.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for moistening fingers shown in an open configuration and having a retained open cell foam, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus for moistening fingers taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 8 in the open configuration, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam 805; a foam housing 110 having a closed bottom 111, a sidewall 112 coupled to the closed bottom, and a top 113 having an opening 114 and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid 120 hingedly attached with a hinge 150 to the foam housing and having a closed top 121, a securing member 122 coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab 123 extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members 130 coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop 140 configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers configured for attaching to a user's wrist, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a photograph of an apparatus in an open configuration for moistening fingers attached to a lanyard, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam 805; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands 1010 for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard 1110, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts.

In the completely assembled apparatus, the open cell foam is approximately sized to substantially fill the volume of the foam housing defined by the closed bottom, the sidewall, and the top. In some embodiments, the open cell foam is configured to be user replaceable so that it can be replaced if the open cell foam degrades over time. In some embodiments, the apparatus is sized similarly to a sports multi-function watch. To prepare the apparatus for finger moistening, an alcohol based hand sanitizer is loaded into the open cell foam to thoroughly wet the foam or at least fill it halfway. The lid is then pressed onto the foam housing in order to snap the securing member through the opening of the foam housing. In some embodiments, the hinge is biased such that the lid wants to separate away, i.e. open, from the foam housing. In such an embodiment, the securing member will be pressed against the underside of the top of the foam housing with greater force ensuring that the apparatus is substantially liquid tight in order to protect from the loss and evaporation of the hand sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for moistening fingers using the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-11, in accordance with some embodiments.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method for moistening fingers begins at block 1205, where an apparatus for moistening fingers is provided, wherein the apparatus for moistening fingers comprises open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist; and a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Next, at block 1210, if the open cell foam had not been previously loaded with hand sanitizer, the user dispenses hand sanitizer into the foam housing with or without the open cell foam within the housing. If the open cell foam is not in the foam housing, the user should fill approximately half of the volume of the foam housing and then insert the open cell foam into the foam housing. The goal is to have sufficient hand sanitizer to thoroughly wet the foam or at least fill it halfway. The lid can then be snapped into the foam housing for use at a later time. At block 1215, the user may either attach the apparatus to their wrist with a strap or band or attach it to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. Regardless of how the apparatus is attached to the user, the apparatus will be easily accessible to the user when they need to moisten and/or sanitize their fingers. Being able to moisten and/or sanitize fingers will facilitate in the opening of plastic produce bags as well as allow the user to sanitize their fingers after having touched high contact surfaces such as door handles (especially those of bathrooms) and grocery carts. Next, al block 1220, when the user desires to moisten their fingers, the user may use the finger tab to open the lid from the foam housing in order to expose the loaded open cell foam and then proceed to make contact with the open cell foam with their fingers or other body parts they desire to moisten. After moistening and sanitizing, at block 1225, the user can either leave the lid open if the user knows they will be needing it again soon or can also just close the lid back into the foam housing for use at a later time.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

The benefits and advantages that may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to be interpreted as non-exclusively including the elements or limitations which follow those terms. Accordingly, a system, method, or other embodiment that comprises a set of elements is not limited to only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to the claimed embodiment.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the invention as detailed within the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for moistening fingers comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing member of the lid comprises a chamfered or filleted surface configured to first contact the top inside edge of the foam housing, a ridge configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the foam housing, and a flat having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the foam housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flat comprises a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge is biased to press the securing member of the lid against the top of the foam housing.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge, the foam housing, and the lid are formed of a monolithic piece of material.
 9. A method for moistening fingers comprising: providing an apparatus comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; dispensing a sanitizer through the opening of the top of the foam housing to load the open cell foam with the sanitizer; and contacting the open cell foam with fingers or other body parts to moisten.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching the apparatus to the user's wrist with the straps or bands.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising attaching the apparatus to the lanyard, necklace, or bracelet.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the securing member of the lid of the apparatus further comprises a chamfered or filleted surface configured to first contact the top inside edge of the foam housing, a ridge configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the foam housing, and a flat having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the foam housing.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flat comprises a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the hinge is biased to press the securing member of the lid against the top of the foam housing.
 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the hinge, the foam housing, and the lid are formed of a monolithic piece of material. 